Florida: Judge Orders Injunction To Allow Voters To Validate Their Ballots

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson (L) and Gov. Rick Scott (R)

A federal judge has ordered an injunction to allow voters whose signatures don't appear to match on their ballots in the hotly-contested Florida race for US Senate to correct their ballots.

From FirstCoastNews:

U.S. Chief Judge Mark Walker issued a preliminary injunction this morning in a lawsuit filed by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson over ballots thrown out because of mismatched signatures — declaring a state law unconstitutional and offering a middle path to give voters a few days to correct their ballots.

"The precise issue in this case is whether Florida’s law that allows county election officials to reject vote-by-mail and provisional ballots for mismatched signatures — with no standards, an illusory process to cure, and no process to challenge the rejection — passes constitutional muster," Walker said. "The answer is simple. It does not."

The ruling is a victory for Nelson as he tries to narrow the almost 13,000 vote margin between him and Gov. Rick Scott in a razor-thin Senate race that is currently the subject of multiple lawsuits and is undergoing a machine recount, which will likely progress to a hand recount.

After Walker's order was filed, the National Republican Senatorial Committee filed a notice of appeal to the 11th Circuit.

Election officials have identified 3,688 vote-by-mail ballots and 93 provisional ballots in 45 counties that were not tabulated because of signature mismatches.

Based on 2016 results, the total could be as high as 5,000.

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema Wins Arizona Senate Seat

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona

UPDATE: Republican Martha McSally has conceded the US Senate race to replace retiring Jeff Flake. Democrat Kyrsten Sinema will be the next Senator from Arizona.

She is the first female to represent the Grand Canyon state in the Senate as well as the first openly bisexual US Senator.

Congrats to @kyrstensinema. I wish her success. I’m grateful to all those who supported me in this journey. I’m inspired by Arizonans’ spirit and our state’s best days are ahead of us. pic.twitter.com/tw0uKgi3oO

— McSally For Senate (@MarthaMcSally) November 13, 2018

******************************************

The Cook Political Report is projecting that Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema will win her US Senate race in Arizona.

According to the latest counts, Sinema has expanded her lead over Republican Martha McSally to 1.5%.

McSally lead on election night with partial returns being counted, but the next day many ballots were still uncounted in Democratic leaning areas of the state.

Sinema will be the first female senator from Arizona, and the first Democratic senator since Sen. Dennis DeConcini left office in 1995.

She will also be the first openly bisexual US Senator.

NEW: Kyrsten Sinema's campaign releases statement on the state of the Arizona Senate race, calling her lead "insurmountable." #abc15 pic.twitter.com/ujtqx7ZQbi

— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) November 12, 2018

Projection: Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D) has defeated Rep. Martha McSally (R) in #AZSEN. This thing has been over for a while.

— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 12, 2018

Right before voting to repeal health care for 23 million Americans, McSally infamously said, "Let's get this f***ing thing done."

Welp, now she's done. https://t.co/0j6lzIVvmF

— Topher Spiro (@TopherSpiro) November 12, 2018

Dear .@GOP, the nightmare continues doesn’t it? pic.twitter.com/hjdlyf0VOa

— BlueVotr (@BlueVotr) November 12, 2018

Dems appear on their way to picking up close to 40 House seats.

If Sinema wins and Nelson loses, the GOP Senate gain would be R+2 -- when there were 10 Dem incumbents running in states Trump won.

And national pop vote is approaching D+7pts -- similar to '94, '06 and '10

— Mark Murray (@mmurraypolitics) November 12, 2018

The folks at ThinkProgress point out that Democratic House candidates are on track to win the national popular vote by as much as 7 points, yet Republicans gained seats in the Senate.

There are still two outstanding Senate races: one in Florida which is heading to a recount, and one in Mississippi which will hold a runoff later this month.

Mitt Romney To Announce Run For US Senate Thursday

Mitt Romney

The Associated Press is reporting Mitt Romney will announce his plans to run for the Utah Senate seat currently held by Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Hatch has previously announced he will not seek reelection.

The 70-year-old Romney, once a harsh critic of President Donald Trump, will release an online video Thursday announcing his Senate bid. His first public appearance as a Senate candidate will come Friday night at a county Republican dinner in Provo.

Those with knowledge of his plans spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.

Despite a drama-filled history with Trump, Romney is not expected to address the combative president directly in the announcement video. Those close to him say he plans a hyper-local focus on Utah issues throughout the Senate campaign.

His announcement video will suggest that Washington has much to learn from Utah.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and one of the most famous Mormons, is widely liked and respected in Utah, which is heavily Mormon.

Romney is considered a shoe-in for the Senate seat.

Mitt Romney set to announce bid to become a Senator who will bravely stand up to the president, before voting for everything he wants in complete obedient lockstep.

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) February 14, 2018

#MittRomney is going to be another talk tough republican while getting press coverage, but will have Cheetos ass dust all over his face from kissing it! Politico tells Hillary to get over losing, while praising Romney as a good move. FUCK YOU POLITICO. MALE EGOTISTICAL PRICKS!

— Robert Myers (@RobMyers1968) February 14, 2018

BREAKING: U.S. Senate Votes To End #TrumpShutdown With Conditions

The U.S. Senate just passed a key procedural hurdle to end debate on a Continuing Resolution to reopen the government and fund it through Feb. 8th.

The measure passed by a wide margin of 81-18.

From NBC News:

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the agreement shortly ahead of the vote: “After several discussions, offers, counter-offers, the Republican leader and I have come to an arrangement. We will vote today to reopen the government to continue negotiating a global agreement, with the commitment that, if an agreement isn’t reached by February 8, the Senate will immediately proceed to consideration of legislation dealing with DACA.”

The Senate still needs to vote on final passage of the bill before it goes to the House of Representatives.

I expect @SenateMajLdr to fulfill his commitment to the Senate & abide by this agreement. If he does not honor our agreement, he will have breached the trust of not only the Democratic Senators but the members of his own party as well.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 22, 2018

#senate vote: cloture invoked 81-18.
No votes:
1. Blumenthal
2. Booker
3. Cortez Masto
4. Feinstein
5. Gillibrand
6. Harris
7 Hirono
8 Leahy
9 Lee (R)
10 Markey
11 Menendez
12 Merkley
13 Murphy
14 Paul (R)
15 Sanders (I)
16 Tester
17 Warren
18 Wyden

— Senate Press Gallery (@SenatePress) January 22, 2018

Democrat Doug Jones Sworn In As New Senator From Alabama

Standing next to Doug Jones' right is his hottie gay son, Carson Jones

The balance of power in the U.S. Senate will shift ever-so-slightly today as Democrat Doug Jones will be sworn in as the new senator from Alabama.

Jones takes over from place-holder Republican Luther Strange who replaced current Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

After Vice President Pence swears Jones in at noon today, Republicans will have a one-vote majority 51-49.

Additionally, Minnesota's lieutenant governor Tina Smith will be sworn in as the newest senator from Minnesota replacing Al Franken who resigned in the face of sexual misconduct allegations.

Smith's ascension to the office means Minnesota will become the fourth state to currently be represented by two women in the U.S. Senate.

Additionally, this means the Senate now has a record 22 female senators.

Congressional Budget Office: Senate Republican Healthcare Bill Would Increase Uninsured By 22 Million

The numbers are out from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office regarding the current Senate Republicans' healthcare bill:

CBO and JCT estimate that enacting this legislation would reduce the cumulative federal deficit over the 2017-2026 period by $321 billion. That amount is $202 billion more than the estimated net savings for the version of H.R. 1628 that was passed by the House of Representatives.

The Senate bill would increase the number of people who are uninsured by 22 million in 2026 relative to the number under current law, slightly fewer than the increase in the number of uninsured estimated for the House-passed legislation. By 2026, an estimated 49 million people would be uninsured, compared with 28 million who would lack insurance that year under current law.

Bolding is mine.

The bill also calls for cuts to Medicaid to the tune of $772 billion over the next ten years.

And premiums for a 64-year old with middle income go from $6,800 under current law to $20,500 under the Senate Republicans legislation.

Click image to enlarge

So, good news for those conservatives looking to see deficit reduction, but 22 million uninsured isn't much better than the 23 million uninsured predicted for the House Republican healthcare bill.

New CBO score for Senate bill:

2018: 15 million more would be uninsured than under Obamacare

2020: 19 million more

2026: 22 million more pic.twitter.com/7cMnfDnZZr

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 26, 2017

CBO on Senate bill: "insurance would pay smaller share of benefits; most people would have higher out-of-pocket spending than current law"

— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) June 26, 2017

CBO says Trumpcare 2.0 will strip 22,000,000 Americans of health insurance. Where’s the “heart”? For 22 million, it’s as mean as ever. https://t.co/Ki4AdGHu8R

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) June 26, 2017

Reporters Informed No More Hallway Interviews At U.S. Senate

Reporters have been informed today that they will no longer be allowed to conduct interviews in the hallways of the Senate without filing for permission for each interview in advance.

Trying to shut down press coverage of the Senate's meetings on upcoming healthcare legislation, I'd imagine.

ALERT: Reporters at Capitol have been told they are not allow to film interviews with senators in hallways, contrary to years of precedent

— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017

CONDITIONS for any interview: Previously granted permission from senator AND Rules Committee of Senate

— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017

I was just told I cannot stand outside of the Budget Committee hearing room to interview lawmakers. https://t.co/gBdkztGLfO

— Kevin Cirilli (@kevcirilli) June 13, 2017

Senate Rules Committee and @SenateSAA trying to SHUT DOWN press access in halls. No more staking out hearings without permission. Not OK.

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 13, 2017

At least one Senator, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, said he can handle himself:

Maybe not the right moment to lower the secrecy veil on Congress. To whoever is trying to protect Senators - we can fend for ourselves. https://t.co/YSbTuaIZKV

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 13, 2017

UPDATE - Whiplash, anybody?

NEW: Senate Rules Committee reverses course on hallway interviews. "You may continue to follow the rules as if it was yesterday."

— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017

Senate Democrats Have The Votes To Filibuster SCOTUS Nominee Neil Gorsuch

Judge Neil Gorsuch accepting President Trump's nomination to U.S. Supreme Court

Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware announced today he would vote against the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court.

That makes Coons the 41st vote opposing Judge Gorsuch, meaning the only way Senate Republicans can confirm him would be to use the so-called "nuclear option."

That would mean changing Senate rules to allow approval of judicial nominees with only a simple majority vote of 51. Currently, such appointments require 60 votes.

While the nuclear option would solve the Republicans' problems for now, at some point in the future when Democrats regain control of the chamber, they would then have the same power to approval such nominations with a simple majority.

Last year, Senate Republicans refused to hold a vote or hearing on the nomination of Merrick Garland, who was tapped by President Obama in March after the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia.

At the time, Republicans said there shouldn't be SCOTUS nominations in an election year. Democrats argued the President is elected for four years, not three. And it is part of a president's responsibilities to nominate SCOTUS replacements.

A vote on the floor of the Senate is expected on Friday.

Nevada: Dem Cortez Masto 40%-35% Over Republican Heck In U.S. Senate Race

The latest poll in Nevada's all-important U.S. Senate race, conducted by JMC Analytics and Polling this week, show's Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto with a five point lead over Republican Rep. Joe Heck.

The race will decide who fills the U.S. Senate seat left open after longtime Democratic Senator Harry Reid retires.

The results show Cortez Masto getting 40% support of respondents, while Heck received 35%.

Sixteen percent of those surveyed identified as "Undecided."

Of those "Undecideds," 41% say they lean in Cortez Masto's direction, 36% say Heck.

(via News 8 Now)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: No Vote On Any SCOTUS Nominee This Year

In a speech from the floor of the U.S. Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) repeated his stance that Senate Republicans will not allow any nominee put forward by President Obama to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

"Presidents have a right to nominate just as the Senate has its constitutional right to provide or withhold consent. In this case, the Senate will withhold it," McConnell said. "The Senate will appropriately revisit the matter after the American people finish making in November the decision they've already started making today."

The U. S. Constitution tasks the president with the responsibility to appoint judges to the Supreme Court, and charges the Senate to "advise and consent." No where in the Constitution does it say the Senate can "withhold" it's responsibility.

And folks wonder why Congress has such low approval numbers?

Only Female Senators Show Up For Work After Jonas Blizzard Last Week

Only Female Senators Showed Up To Work After The Snowstorm

Only female Senators showed up to work during the giant blizzard of 2016

Posted by NowThis on Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Openly Gay Eric Fanning Finally Has A Confirmation Hearing Date For Army Secretary

After months of waiting, openly gay Eric Fanning will finally get a confirmation hearing for his nomination as Army Secretary in the U.S. Senate.

Via The Hill:

Fanning was nominated in September, but was designated “acting” Army Secretary when then-Army Secretary John McHugh retired in October.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) told reporters last week he raised concerns with the administration that Fanning serving as “acting” secretary without being confirmed violated the Vacancies Act.

“I wasn’t going to have a hearing while they were in violation of the law, that’s you know sort of fundamental in the way I do business,” he told reporters on Monday.

Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) has threatened to block Fanning’s confirmation should the vote reach the full senate. Roberts plans to block the confirmation over President Obama’s intentions to close Guantanamo.

Fanning has previously served as Acting Army Secretary as well as chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary of the Air Force.

Eric Fanning’s confirmation hearing is set for Thursday at 9:30 A.M.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel To Sen. Marco Rubio: Do Your Job Or Resign

Sen. Marco Rubio recently shared with the Washington Post that he was "frustrated" serving in the U.S. Senate.

Today, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel published an editorial telling Rubio, frustrated or not, he needs to spend more time doing the job Floridians sent him there to do.

Sorry, senator, but Floridians sent you to Washington to do a job. We've got serious problems with clogged highways, eroding beaches, flat Social Security checks and people who want to shut down the government.

If you hate your job, senator, follow the honorable lead of House Speaker John Boehner and resign it.

Let us elect someone who wants to be there and earn an honest dollar for an honest day's work. Don't leave us without one of our two representatives in the Senate for the next 15 months or so.

You are paid $174,000 per year to represent us, to fight for us, to solve our problems. Plus you take a $10,000 federal subsidy — declined by some in the Senate — to participate in one of the Obamacare health plans, though you are a big critic of Obamacare.

You are ripping us off, senator.

[snip]

Your job is to represent Floridians in the Senate.

Either do your job, Sen. Rubio, or resign it.

U.S. Senators are paid $174,000 a year. In addition, Rubio takes a federal subsidy to participate in Obamacare to the tune of $10,000.

Rubio has missed over 60 Senate votes, in part because he's busy campaigning for the GOP presidential nomination.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, by comparison, has been campaigning for the Democratic nomination and only missed 10 votes in the Senate.

After 166 Day Wait, Loretta Lynch Gets Attorney General Vote Tomorrow

After a long delay, the Senate approves the anti-human trafficking bill, clearing a path for Lynch vote http://t.co/XP9HO8vowV
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) April 22, 2015

U.S. Senate Republicans Vote With Dems On Equal Federal Benefits For Same-Sex Married Couples

Eleven Senate Republicans crossed the aisle to vote with all of the Democrats last night in approving an amendment to guarantee equal Social Security and veterans benefits to married same-sex couples based on where the marriage was GRANTED, not the state of residence.

Via Buzzfeed:

The amendment, proposed by Sen. Brian Schatz, addressed the fact that both Social Security and some provisions of veterans’ benefits are, by statute, provided to spouses on the basis of whether a couple’s marriage is recognized by the state in which they live. The amendment would provide for benefits for spouses for all married same-sex couples, regardless of where they live.

Schatz praised the bipartisan support the measure received.

“Tonight, eleven Republicans joined Democrats in recognizing that gay couples deserve equal treatment, regardless of where they live,” he said. “We still have work to do to, but this is progress and a win for equal rights.”

Six of the 11 Republicans voting for the measure are up for re-election in 2016. They know where the arc of history will bend.

The 11 Republicans were Ayotte (NH), Burr (NC), Collins (ME), Heller (NV), Johnson (WI), Kirk (IL), Moore Capito (WV), Murkowski (AL), Portman (OH), and Tillis (NC).

Nevada Sen. Harry Reid Will Not Seek Re-Election In 2016

My life’s work has been to make Nevada and our nation better. Thank you for giving me that wonderful opportunity. https://t.co/dwy2rDWYhO
— Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) March 27, 2015

Sen. Reid has endorsed NY Sen. Chuck Schumer to replace him as Minority Leader in the Senate.

President Obama On GOP Senator's Letter To Iran: "I'm Embarrassed For Them"

Andrea Mitchell talks with State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki ahead of Secretary John Kerry’s arrival in Switzerland for another round of talks with Iran negotiators – his first meeting with Iran’s foreign minister since Senate Republicans’ letter.

(via MSNBC)

Newspapers Across America Condemn Iran Letter From 47 US Senators

Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and Mitch McConnell

Newspapers across the country continue to condemn the open letter signed by 47 Republican U.S. Senators to the leaders of Iran meant to sabotage current ongoing sensitive negotiations regarding nuclear weapons.

Just a few samples from at least 22 so far:

The Kansas City Star wondered if it was the Iran letter, or the Republican senators who were treacherous, “Given the Republicans’ pure hatred of Obama, it also seemed extra personal, yet another politically motivated attempt to stop him from doing anything that might be perceived as a victory for his administration.”

The editorial board of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette wrote that the senators who signed the letter should be ashamed, “America’s partners in the talks are among the world’s most important nations — China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom. They can only be appalled at seeing Secretary of State John Kerry and the president, who are charged with making the nation’s foreign policy, hit from behind by one house of the federal legislature. The senators who signed the letter should be ashamed.”

The Baltimore Sun pulled no punches, “The poison pen note was a shocking example of just how far President Barack Obama’s GOP critics in Congress are willing to go in an effort to undercut his foreign policy goals…The GOP senators might just as well have put up a big sign over their chamber warning the mullahs in Tehran to prepare for war because that’s the practical import of rejecting any possibility of a negotiated resolution of the two countries’ differences.

More at PoliticusUSA.

California: Sen. Barbara Boxer Will Not Seek Re-Election In 2016

Sen. Barbara Boxer of California has announced, via video "interview" with her grandson, that she will not seek re-election in 2016.

As NBC notes, this sets several big name Democrats in motion for the open Senate seat:

High-profile California Democrats like Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, state Attorney General Kamala Harris and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa have had to bide their time with Sens. Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, as well as Gov. Jerry Brown, occupying the top three statewide offices.

So now's their chance.

And if you include current Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, there are as many as four well-known Democrats who might have their eyes on Boxer's seat, potentially setting up a titantic and expensive race to succeed her. There's also the possibility that a Silicon Valley entrepreneur or Hollywood star (remember Arnold Schwarzenegger) is interested in running.

Worth noting: California has a top-two primary system - regardless of party - so it's possible that two Democrats clash in the 2016 general election. Or one Democrat and one Republican. Or even two Republicans (though that's very, very unlikely in this blue state).

"I am never going to retire," Boxer says in the video. "The work is too important. But I will not be running for the Senate in 2016."

"I want to come home. I want to come home to the state I love so much, California."

See Boxer's announcement below:

Interesting: Incoming Senate Dems Got 20 Million More Votes Than 54 Republicans

The Senate's 46 Democrats got 20 million more votes than its 54 Republicans. http://t.co/DJ2mTZgyxi via @dylanmatt pic.twitter.com/p2kWLFcxJX
— Blue Nation United (@BlueNationUntd_) January 3, 2015